JENNIFER GOMEZ In London: A Favourite With The Rich And Famous

IT was barely seven on a Wednesday evening and already diners were spilling into the comfort of the Awana Chelsea restaurant in London, which offered them respite from the cold autumn breeze.

Kenneth Lim says the restaurant usually operates at full capacity.

Restaurant manager Kenneth Lim looked composed although he was expecting the usual full house, along with confirmed reservations for Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and an entourage of journalists.

Lim says he’s used to this. On weekdays, the tables here turn over up to three times, filling the restaurant to full capacity until 11.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Awana Chelsea closes at 11pm earlier in the week and at 10pm on Sunday.

The restaurant accommodates up to 100 diners at a go. The first round of diners comes in about 6.30pm, the next about 8pm and the last, 9pm.
“That’s how popular we are among the rich in Chelsea,” said Lim, who counted Datuk Jimmy Choo, Datuk Bernard Chandran and Maggie Cheung as regulars.

Lim is usually unable to accomodate guests without bookings on weekends, unless of course they are too important to turn away; Pierce Brosnan, for example.

“We are always full. Our diners are rich, many of them famous, and almost all of them are very health-conscious.”

The good thing about its success is the fact that the controversial Malaysia Kitchen brand under Pempena Sdn Bhd has a stake in the Awana Chelsea, having bought a 45-per cent interest in 2005.

The restaurant’s monthly turnover is to the tune of STG120,000 (RM646,000), Lim said, adding that food prices at his restaurant were higher than at other Malaysian restaurants in London.

He said, however, that the regular diners don’t mind.

“We only serve corn-fed chicken, chilled, not frozen seafood and strictly no MSG. Our clients are assured of this.”

Lim, however, felt compelled to share one “problem” that diners have: “Our menu is extensive, so they have trouble deciding what they want.”

The restaurant offers Malaysian favourites such as udang galah, char kuey teow and more in what Lim calls “The Malaysian Journey” tasting menu that is recommended with different wines.

There is also a satay bar which provides, among everything Malaysian, diver-caught scallops.

While Londoners enjoy dining at the Awana Chelsea, Lim said that it was also popular with Malaysians visiting and living in London.

“Awana is authentically Malaysian, and we’ve proven that when you talk about authentic Asian food, it is not limited to Thai, Chinese or Japanese.”

Nov 19 is a special day as the Awana Chelsea celebrates its third anniversary.

JENNIFER GOMEZ In London: A Favourite With The Rich And Famous

IT was barely seven on a Wednesday evening and already diners were spilling into the comfort of the Awana Chelsea restaurant in London, which offered them respite from the cold autumn breeze.

Kenneth Lim says the restaurant usually operates at full capacity.

Restaurant manager Kenneth Lim looked composed although he was expecting the usual full house, along with confirmed reservations for Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and an entourage of journalists.

Lim says he’s used to this. On weekdays, the tables here turn over up to three times, filling the restaurant to full capacity until 11.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Awana Chelsea closes at 11pm earlier in the week and at 10pm on Sunday.

The restaurant accommodates up to 100 diners at a go. The first round of diners comes in about 6.30pm, the next about 8pm and the last, 9pm.
“That’s how popular we are among the rich in Chelsea,” said Lim, who counted Datuk Jimmy Choo, Datuk Bernard Chandran and Maggie Cheung as regulars.

Lim is usually unable to accomodate guests without bookings on weekends, unless of course they are too important to turn away; Pierce Brosnan, for example.

“We are always full. Our diners are rich, many of them famous, and almost all of them are very health-conscious.”

The good thing about its success is the fact that the controversial Malaysia Kitchen brand under Pempena Sdn Bhd has a stake in the Awana Chelsea, having bought a 45-per cent interest in 2005.

The restaurant’s monthly turnover is to the tune of STG120,000 (RM646,000), Lim said, adding that food prices at his restaurant were higher than at other Malaysian restaurants in London.

He said, however, that the regular diners don’t mind.

“We only serve corn-fed chicken, chilled, not frozen seafood and strictly no MSG. Our clients are assured of this.”

Lim, however, felt compelled to share one “problem” that diners have: “Our menu is extensive, so they have trouble deciding what they want.”

The restaurant offers Malaysian favourites such as udang galah, char kuey teow and more in what Lim calls “The Malaysian Journey” tasting menu that is recommended with different wines.

There is also a satay bar which provides, among everything Malaysian, diver-caught scallops.

While Londoners enjoy dining at the Awana Chelsea, Lim said that it was also popular with Malaysians visiting and living in London.

“Awana is authentically Malaysian, and we’ve proven that when you talk about authentic Asian food, it is not limited to Thai, Chinese or Japanese.”

Nov 19 is a special day as the Awana Chelsea celebrates its third anniversary.